Route announced for 2014 Vuelta a Espana

The 2014 Vuelta a España will finish with a 10km individual time trial in the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela, organizers announced on Saturday.

Having attracted a fearsome reputation for the number and severity of its mountain climbs in recent years, the overall complexion of the route is slightly more forgiving this time around.

“Everyone knows what they are getting with the Vuelta a España,” said director Javier Guillen.

“It is not as hard as on other occasions, but with even more excitement, with shorter and more nervous stages.

“Although we like the mountains a lot, we can’t undermine the race in general.”

The 69th edition of La Vuelta begins with a team time trial on August 23 and will encompass 21 stages before finishing on September 14 in the famous pilgrim city in northwestern Spain.

However, the race is likely to be decided on eight grueling mountain finishes, with three in consecutive days on stages 14, 15 and 16.

There will be one further individual time trial on stage 10 after the first rest day. A second rest day falls between stages 16 and 17, on the final Tuesday of the three-week race.

Alberto Contador, who will be in search of a third Vuelta victory after missing last year’s race, welcomed the slightly less demanding route.

“It is a very nice and interesting route with some strong mountain finishes, which are always quite exciting for the spectators,” he said.

“I like it, I think it is quite balanced and I can only say that I will see you all on August 23 in Jerez.”

Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez have also already signaled their intent to participate in the race, which American Chris Horner won last year

However, with the world championships also due to take place in Ponferrada, Spain, less than two weeks after the finish in Compostela, the race could attract an even stronger field than in recent years.